Combination opener, lid, and pouring spout device



y 1948. D. N. HALSTEAD 2,442,126

COMBINATION OPENER, LID, AND POURING SPOUT DEVICE Filed 001;. 2, 1943 EMZWW' Patented May 25, 1948 NITED STATES PATENT COMBINATION OPENER, LIDUAN-DYBQURINQ SPOUT DEVIQE Dorne N. Halstead UpperMontclair; N. J. Applicationfictober,2, 1943,=Serial No. 50]};692-

The invention in this application relates to a combination opener, lid and pouring spoutdevice of the type which maybe successively used to open cardboard containers or the like and which functions both as a lid and pouring spout device? One of the primary objectsof my invention is to provide a pouring. spout device with side and end cutting means, which may be readily pressed into the wall of containers to cut a hinging tab and a form fitting opening for the device to engagevand rock in.

Another important object of the invention-is to provide alid opener device'of the character described with means thereon whereby it will-securely and automatically anchoror bind itself to the tab portion of a container when it is pressed removed from the tab and container forsuccessive' use .on other containers.

Another importantobject of my invention .is to provide means whereby the free end of the tab is transversely shaped when it is being cut to sub;-

stantially conform to the contourof the fron't end cutting edge of the deviceto provide a freelyflowing channel like spout.

These and other objects and-advantages are accomplished by constructions and embodiments hereinafter described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings-in which- Fig. 1 is an isometric view of one embodimen of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section-through the above embodi ment shown associated with the upper portion of a box in section;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of another embodi ment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a section through thesecond embodiment of the invention shown associated with the.

upper portion of a box in section;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are isometric viewsof other embodiments of the invention.

Referring to Figs. .1 and 2.0f the drawing, ,1 is

a section of a, boxhaving one .embodi'mentor my :device appliedat the upper portion of onev side thereof, also dotted in to show it'inanopen position. This device has a back orbase memher 8, having side sealing flanges ,9 with their.

7 Claims. (01. 2.22am) 2 front corners bent outwardly at 10 so that they will not vmutilate the wallpi the u nape plying the device thereto. The backmemberjh'as.

a curved handle portion. .l2 at its IQr' ardBn'd whi'chfh'asa lip l 3 and sideportion'sjlil fordirecte ingjthe flowing of theboxjconten'ts overjthegtor,

ward. portion. of the device when open. {On the back member .8 .are'outw'ardly extending, side out}- ting members or blades 15, and a .frlontend .cut-

ting. member or blade '.[6.- The'sidecutting meme bers .l,5 have pointed ends l1 and outtingteldg'es 98 on the front and rearportionsthereofL Extending-'inwardlyat the frontportion or the base .albu rvid fiib bl tting Oi oh'ahheli shaping,

prongs]! 9, and op os d thereto. n'tnesi e.b1 ades,

l 51am inwardlyprojecting-informs :20 roe binding or lockin thefre'e end of theItab Z l theretd- At the 'rear end. of th'e'side cutting members 15 slightly spacedfromthe basemember i8 a'p'pr'oXi mately the thickness of the side :w'ans of erear box'containe'rs and the like ,arefinwardly' jecting members .22 .for' automatically'ilocking Ior binding the rear end .ogf the. device, to the )ba's of the vtabIZll .Ito 'lprQYide .a hinge ',,at',2 3., The front or "forward cutting memb,er. I6 has a. stantially archshaped cutting edge-.14, .anda central ly' idisposedrletarde'd .tab cutting notch .14". ,L I

I0 .use this, embodiment of y invention, the, points, .l'! are P ac a ainst. the :wa11lof "a. 9hr.

tainer near the (top. of the. side .thereoi and upon pressing inwardly the .bl-ade'swillpene ate; the ,wall .Of a box to cut a .tabandiforrn: fitting.

opening. The pressing .in operation @150. l fificts an automatic locking engagement .of the" inemb.ers. 2 2 with .thehbaseof the tab 3 alsdautomatic looking I engagement of the; front members l9 andi fl is effected with .theifreercndoflthe tab to provide- -a}h'inge,.for the device, whereby it can be irockfed back andiorth onthe box by the hang,

dle member i2. The arcuate, channel step d.

ut ie l b J1 g rn e in ith f end of the. tab as it is, being cut by lthej ronueut ting edge Z4 to 'substantiaflyconforin. to' the cone,

tour of Y the'edge. ,to provide a freely. "flowing'spo t. 7 g n c thi e r x n enem when -emptied, .it is rocked 'to .an open-positions container.

' Referring to...li'igs.,.3 and ii, thesdevice is embpde v 2- liayinz'flc t-- ward-1y projectin ,side Zblade members 2 8,, ,with

ied n a back "or base member pointed ends Z'BQIand'. front ,andrearrouttingefd I I i e readily stripped therefrom for successivefuse on angther.

3 side blades merge into a substantially arcuate shaped end member 3|, having an arcuate shaped cutting edge 32 butting or merging into the front side edges 33. It will be observed that the front end cutting member 3| inclines slightly rearwardly for purposes more fully hereinafter described, and that the merging cutting edges of the side and front members have sharp saw like teeth 33 thereon to facilitate the cutting action.

The rear base portions 34 of the side cutti blades extend beyond the rear end of the base member 21 and are slightly beveled off at 35 and incline inwardly for purpose more fully hereinafter set forth. The base' member at its forward portion has a gauge flange 36, which may extend around the side edges of the device, the same as shown in Figs, 1 and 2, to insure sealing the free or severed end of the tab. These barbed anchoring prongs are long enough so that they will penetrate through the tab to insure automatic anchoring of the device to the tab before it is completely severed at its free end.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Fig. 6, the back member 53 is provided with edge sealing and gauging flanges 54 and a front outwardly turned pouring lip and handle portion 55, cut away at 55 to allow the contents of the box to flow freely over the same. Projecting outwardly from base member 53 are spaced blades 56 having piercing points 51 and front and rear cutting edges 53 thereon, Projecting outwardly from the front or forward end of the base member is opening. The device is also provided at its forward end with an outwardly curved operating handle 31.

In using this embodiment of my invention, it is preferably pressed through one of the upper side walls of a box with the rear base portion of the side cutting blade adjacent to the top of the box to cut a tab 40, which hinges at 4| to the edge of the box, and the fact that the rear end of the base member 2'! is short of the rear base portions 34 of the side cutting blades facilitates the application of the device to the box; also the hinging action on the edge of the box. With this embodiment of the invention, the inturned ends engage the side edges of the tab to lock and bind it against the rear end of the base member 21 when the cutting blades are fully pressed into the box. The rounded or curved shape of the front or forward cutting member 3|, along with the rear inclination thereof, insures that the free end of the tab is automatically locked or bound to the forward end of the device when the cutting blades are fully pressed into the box to cut the tab. The curved shape and rear inclination of the front member 3! also tends to transversely channel shape the free end of the tab to conform to the contour of the front cutting edge to provide a freely flowing spout.

This device may be readily stripped from the tab in the same manner as the first embodiment, and since the forward cutting edge is curved or arch shaped, it'will cut an opening having .a curved lower side, which facilitates the pouring of the contents from the container when using this embodiment of the invention in the manner disclosed, in which the device does not function as a pouring chute.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Fig. 5, the base or back member 43 has side sealing flanges 44 with outwardly bent front corners 44 to prevent multilation of the box upon pressing the device into the wall of the box. At its front end, the back member 43 is curved outwardly to provide a pouring lip and handle member 45, which has side flanges 46 to provide a front pouring spout for directing the contents of a box. Extending outwardly from the back member 43 are side blades 41, having front and rear cutting edges 4'! and a front end member 48 with a are inwardly extending tab locking members 49 having barbed penetrating prongs 49 for penetrating and anchoring the base end of the tab to the device. On the front end of the back member 43 are similar inwardly projecting barbed penean end cutting blade 59, having a curved or arched shaped cutting edge 59', which butts or merges at its outer ends into the front side cutting edges 53. The spaced cutting blades 56 have on the rear inside portions thereof inward-1y projecting ratchet shaped members 6! for anchoring the rear end of the device to the base of the tab when it is being cut. Also at the front or forward base portion of the side blades are similar ratchet like members 62 for automatically locking the forward end of the device to the free end of the tab before it is completely out. Both the front and rear ratchet members maybe either rigidly or resiliently mounted upon the side cutting blades.

It will be observed that this embodiment of my invention has a channel shaped base member '60 at its forward end spaced slightly below the forward curved cutting edge. This channel shaped base member not only transversely dishes the free end of the tab but also limits the inward movement of end of the tab so that it is maintained substantially flush with said curved edge 59. to provide a freely flowing channel way.

With this modification, the rear end of thedevice may be automatically anchored to the base of the tab with the rear end of the base member in contact therewith; or the rear end of the device may be anchoredto'the base of the tab, spaced from the backmember by being held between any two adjacent ratchets on the spaced cutting blades, depending upon how far the device is pressed into the box when cuttingthe' opening.

v In the embodiment of my invention disclosed in] Fig. 7, the device comprises a rounded front end member 63 having a curved or arched shaped cutting edge 64,'and spaced side blades 65 having penetrating points 63, and front and rear cutting tending stop flanges or members 13 for engaging the back of the tab, said flange membersmay be connected together. With this embodiment of my invention, the binding of the tab tothe inside of the device when it is. being cut to provide a hinge therefor is effected by using a sheet metal of a thicker gauge than used to make the other embodiments'and sharpening the cutting blades by giving them a substantial beveling from their insides outwardly, whereby an over sized tab will be Tout-depending upon the amount of beveling and the thickness. of the-blades. :This oversized taliwnlbeitighfly wedged iin between the blades as it-is' *beingcut to automatically lock the device to the tab. Thisbinding action maybe further ensured: by having the rear ends of the-blades converged towardseach other.

The free render the tab, by reason-of the curved arched shape of the from cuttin edge will not .be *completelysevered until the tab reaches the most suitable hinged locking position for the deviceg- At this position the tab is completely severed at its free end and, since it is no longer anchored at both its ends, the'tight wedged in gripping action is then sufficient to lock the deviceautomatically to the tab'toprovide an operative hinge therefor-on the container.

In most of the embodiments of my invention, the automatic tab locking means at the rear end of the devices'are preferably positioned such that they'iock the device to the base of the tab when the rear end of the base'member' engages therewith,--thereby firmly locking the rear end of the deviceto-the base of the tab at the most effective point to proVi'de'a practical and efiicient hinge therefor. -However, as disclosed. in Fig. 6, there may be a series of tab ratchets or serrations on the inside rear portions of the spaced cutting blades for locking the tab to the device at any desired position.

It'will be also noted'that the automatic locking meansat the front end of all the embodiments of -my invention are so positioned that they come into-operative locking engagement with the tab before'it is completely severed at its front end, thereby insuring that the severed or free end'oi the--tab is securely locked to the front end of thedeviceto rock back and forth therewith.

The cutting edge on the front blade member in all embodiments is'preferably curved and arch shaped; however, other shapes'may be used to prov-idea suitable pouring opening, and prefe ablyat the closest point which said front'edge approaches the back member of the device, it is slightly spaced therefrom, which facilitates the cutting and severing 'of the free ends of the tab wh'en'thedevice is pressed against the Wall of a container. Thefact'that the front locking members come into operative butting and locking contact with'the front side portions of the tab when the front cutting edge starts to cut inwardly from thespaced side edges to the transverse center thereof *tendsto transversely dish the free end of. the "ta to substantially conform to the contour of the front cutting edge to provide a substantially rou'ndedfreely flowing channel way. This channeling of the free endof the tab is further facilitated by the inwardly projecting forming members l9, disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, the inwardlycurved members E2 in Fig. 7 and the channel shaped member 69, disclosed in Fig. 6.

Preferably to insure locking of the device to the tabs when they are being cut, inwardly projecting'locking means have been disclosed for effectingthis'bin'dingor anchoring action; howeve'rjlocking'engagementmay be efiected by having the cutting blades slightly divergent toward their pointed ends,which results in cutting a tab slightly over'size upon the starting or initial cuttingfof the tab; which results in a wedging or binding engagement of the'central portion of the tab between th'spac'ed'blades as the device is pressed into' the'boK 'I'his =locking or binding action may also be effected by having the base portions orthe spaced bladesithicker and-tapmng therefrom to a thinner gau'ge "towards' their pointed ends and, consequently, at the start of cutting of the opening a slightly oversize tabis out, which is-wedged inbetwee'n the base --portions of the cutting blades to effect alockin'g engagement of the tab as they are pressed into'the box. This thicker gauge at the base portions-of the spaced cutting blades also insures .a firmer bind ing engagement of the device in the opening cut in the box upon closing the lid.- In connection with these oversize tab-locking means; the insides of the cutting :blade's at their base portions may be successively rasped'or serrated to more firmly grip the side edgesbf the 'tab.

With the preferred form of invention, the distance or radius from the rearend o'i the base or back member to the penetrating points of theside cutting blades slightly exce'edsthe length'of the side slots-cut by the spaced side blades wherebythe ends of the cutting blades will come .in contact with the ends of the slot to limit the outward rocking 'movement of the device when the rear cutting edges of the side blades aresubstantiall-y fiush Withthe inside'wall of theaopening'in the box to provide a freely flowing opening. Also notin any instancedoes the distance from the rear end or" the base member to any place on the front cutting edges on-the spaced cutting blades between 'their'penetrating ends andbase ends exceed theabove specified radius.

With the modifications disclosed: in Figs. 3, 4. and '71andthe like, the "distance from'the penetrating points to the rear end of the back or base ends of the spaced blades slightly exceeds the distance .1 from the rear end "of the device to the end of the-'straight line portions of the slots cut thereby or'wherethe side blades merge into the curved portions of the .front cutting blade, Whereby'the pointed end :portions of the side blades contact with the curved portions or tthe iront ends of thestraight'line portions of. the slots cut in the box to limit the outwardrocking movement ofthe'device when the rear edgesof the cutting blades are substantially flush with the inside Walls oft'he b'oxtto provide afreelyflowing opening.

The term, base portion of the device, as used in the specification and claims, is intended to mean'the upper portions of the cutting members remote from their penetrating ends and which portions connect the cutting members together asdisclosed in Fig. I, and may include the back members '8, 27, 43 and 53 connecting said upper portions, as disclosed respectively in Figs. '1 to 6, inclusive.

The terms ii'ont end or forward end .of the device used interchangeably in the specification and claims designates the part or end"of the base or base portion of the device having the transverse cutting blade or cuttingimember.

The invention'in this application involves an improvement and continuation in parts of the Lid, opener and pouring spout device disclosed and claimed in my co-pending'applicatio'n, Serial'No. 293,249, filed Augustfi l, 1939, whichon'November 9, l'9 l3ymatured into Patent No. 2,333,781. Theinvention disclosed .in this application differs primarilyfrom that disclosed in my, pending applimati'cally locked'tothetab' as it is being cut and is substantially anchored thereto upon cutting with front and rear cutting edges, said spaced side cutting members having penetrating ends and straight base portons whereby the device will cut a tab and spaced slots having straight line portions for the device to engage in when it is pressed against the wall of a container, means on the base portion of the device for releasably looking it to said tab when being cut for rocking on the container, said penetrating ends being spaced from the rear end of said back member a distance greater than the length of the straight line portions of said spaced slots whereby the outward rocking movement of the device on the tab will be limited by said penetrating ends engaging'the front ends of said straight line portions of the spaced slots.

In a'combination opener and pouring spout device for use on containers comprising spaced side members, a front end member and a rigid integral base rigidly joining said members together to provide a pouring spout device, said side and end members having cutting edges thereon whereby said pouring spout device will cut a tab and form fitting opening for said pouring spout to frictionally engage the sides of said 7 opening when pressed against the wall of acontainer, and tab locking means on said base for contiguously engaging the tab to lock the pouring spout to said tab upon said pressing against operation whereby the tab will anchor and hinge said pouring spout device on the wall of the container for rocking thereon to open and close said opening.

3. In a combination opener and pouring spout device for use on containers comprising spaced side 'members, a front end member and a base rigidly joining said members together to provide a rigid integral pouring spout device, said members having cutting edges thereon whereby said device will cut a tab and form fitting opening for the pouring spout to frictionally engage the sides of said opening when pressed against the Wall of a container, and tab locking elements exend member and a base rigidly joiningsaid members together to provide a rigid integral pouring spout device, said "members having cutting edges thereon whereby said device will cut a tab and .a form fitting opening for said pouring spout to frictionally engage in when pressed against the side of a container, said cutting edges being spaced apart more than the inside space at the base portion of the device whereby an oversized tab is out upon said pressing against operation, said oversized tab being wedged in on the inside of said base portion as the tab is being cut to contiguously engage the tab for locking the tab to the spout to provide a tab anchoring hinge for the spout device to rock on the side of the con-.- tainer, and an outwardly extending finger lever on said base for rocking the pouring spout on said tab hinge. a

6. In a combination opener and pouring spout device comprising spaced side members, a front end member and a base joining said members together to provide a rigid integral pouring spout device, said side and end members having cutting edges thereon whereby said device will cut front end of said pouring spout for conforming the free end of said tab to the cutting edge on said front end member to providea freely flowing spout opening.

'7. In a combination opener and pouring spout device comprising spaced side members, a front end member and a base joiningosaid members together to provide a pouring spout device, said end and side members having cutting edges thereon whereby said device will cut'a tab and a.

form fitting opening for said spout to frictionally engage in when pressed against the side ofa container, tab binding means on said base for releasably locking the pouring spout to said tab whereby a tab anchoring hinge is provided for tending inwardly from said base for contiguous ly engaging the tab for locking the pouring spout to said tab upon said pressing against operation whereby the tab will anchor and hinge said pouring spout device on'the wall of a container for rocking thereon to open and close said opening.

4. In a combination opener and pouring spout device comprising spaced side members, a frontv end member and a base rigidly joining said members together to provide a rigid integral pouring spout device, said side and end members havin cutting edges thereon whereby said device will c t a tab and form fitting opening for said spout rocking said pouring spout device to the side of a container, and a tab butting means on the front end of said pouring spout device comprising an arcuate shaped member for conforming the free end of the tab to the front end of the device to provide a freely flowing pouring spout opening.

, DORNE N. HALSTEAD;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

